Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1887-02-12
NEW IDEAS AND PLANS.

In former Gdtherer we have given an
account of a foot-warmer for railway car
riages entirely heated by electricity, and
also of the foot-warmer heated by acetate
of soda, which was introduced upon some
Scandinavian railways. NJ. Tommasi, a
French electrician, has combined these
methods in employing the electrical cur
rent to make up for the heat lost by radia-
ton from the acetate, or, it may be, from
hot water. The current develops heat in
passing through coils of wire of high re-
sistance, and this heat supplies the place
of that given out by the heated material in
the warmer, thus keeping the latter warm
for a long time, and preventing the neces-
sity of changing the warmers.-The Gath
eFer.
The grease from sleeps wool has been
utilized in making a cheap soap, not adapt
ed for toilet purposes, by NJ. Robart, who
recently communicated the details of his
process to the French National Society OF
Agriculture. This grease when brought to
its point of fusion absorbs the sulphuric
conpounds-for instance, sulphuric hy-
drogen- and so treated it becomes saponi-
fable in . cold state. Soap is made by
this process in less than hour, whereas soda
soaps take from six to eight hours for their
manufacture Cdsselfs Magazine.
A plan for lessening the blow of collis-
ions between ships have been patented re-
Gently. 1t differs both from the ordinary
rope-work fender and the wire-netting
used to catch to-pedoes, and consists essen
tally of steel w!re-ropes suspended from
brackets round the side of the ship in such
q manner that the vessel approaching has
to break through these before she reaches
the hull. A projecting framework of iron
fitted with powerful spring fender is also
part of the plan, and applicable as pro-
lection to the bows of the ships.-CdSseW S
Magazine.
A raw material called bisso, or golden
wood, obtained from the Pima nobillis, a
mollusca or shell-fish, which attaches itself
to the sea-bottom by t1ft of fibrous hair,
is utilized on the coast of Sardinia, and
especially the Island of Madalena, for max
ing crayats, shawls and so on. The fiber
is of yellow. brown color, and is collected
by kind of iron rake. The tuft is washed,
dried, combed and spun, then woven into
cloth. The dark, rich old gold'' variety
is most prized.-1he Gatherer.
A process of making writing paper from
seaweed has been brought out in this coun-
try. The weed is boiled with carbonate of
soda. and the filtered solution is treated
with sulphuric acid. This yields a paste
more viScous than gum arabic, and it is
supposed that it can be profitably utilized.
After this paste is removed the fbrous mat
ter left is made into paper.-CdsSeV
NJ. Leon Lenaerts of Brussels has de-
vised a system of electrical appliances
whereby on the outbreak of fire in a hall
or theater any of the audience can turn the
gas off at the meter, at the same lighting
up electric lamps, which show the exits. 1t
is expected that the assurance of this ar
rangement will give confidence to an audi
enee and prevent panics.-CdsseWs.
A three wheeled cab has been introduced
into London. Its chief advantage. COM
bined with the stability OF three or four
wheeled vehicle. is the ease with which il
can be entered, especially by ladies, who
can keep their dresses clear of the wheels,
feat not always accomplishable with the
ordinary " four wheeler. r."-CdsseUs.
Taking negatives of the bottom of the sea,
sunken wrecks or submarine works is said
to be the latest attempt of photographers.
This is to be accomplished by the aid OF
electric light. Divers may be employed, or
by electrical arrangements the negatives
may be taken from above water.-Jo,undl
Of Progress.
An Arrowsmith Qll) citizen has been
working for some time on a machine to
trim hedges, and has finally succeeded in
getting one to perfection. He has been
offered $4,000 for the patent Chicago
Times